Printed jeans take fashion world by storm
The Straits Times|November 01, 2024
UNITED STATES - Swedish fashion house Acne Studios makes US$800 (S$1,060) jeans that look like something a roofer would wear to a rave.
Printed jeans take fashion world by storm

They are coated in paint flecks, battered as a baseball mitt and burdened with enough metal trinkets that they should weigh almost 10kg.

Except they do not. They are not covered in paint either. And those wear marks? They are all a facade. Each splatter, splice and wear stain on the jeans is printed. The chains and charms are a one-dimensional illusion.

In the age of artificial intelligence fakery, designers are getting in on the fake news and making jeans that are not quite real.

A LONG FLIRTATION WITH TROMPE L'OEIL

Fashion history is a speckled battlefield of "trompe l'oeil" (French for "trick the eye") technique to make consumers marvel and gasp.

As far back as 1927, French couturier Elsa Schiaparelli was minting cheeky sweaters with flat, sham bows knit in them.

The 1990s witnessed a wave of postmodern, illusionist garments - British designer Katharine Hamnett's jumpsuit that duped for a zoot suit, Jean Paul Gaultier's dresses printed with images of women in bikinis and Martin Margiela's whole collection of matt "sweaters" and "coats" printed, deviously, with photos of other garments.

These designs were often conspicuous in their fakery - inviting onlookers to be in on the gag.

Take Gaultier's trompe l'oeil jeans from 1997. The "denim" is printed smaller than the actual pants, exposing white beneath.

Today's fake jeans are intended to deceive absolutely. They are also proving quite popular: Acne Studios' version is sold out on its website.

Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE STRAITS TIMES DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The Straits Times

Hawkers Economics biggest challenge, not consumer culture

I was disappointed to read senior columnist Chua Mui Hoong's commentary \"Hawker culture debate: The missing ingredient is our willingness to pay\" (Nov 23).

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
The Straits Times

Make web more accessible for those with disabilities

There should be guidelines to make the web, and not just digital banking and shopping services, more accessible to the disabled and vision-impaired (When you can't see, and your banking app OTP is expiring, Nov 21).

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
The Straits Times

Financial industry Crucial that trainers are well qualified

The Insurance and Financial Practitioners Association of Singapore (IFPAS) welcomes the clear stance taken by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) regarding the licensing and regulation of financial influencers who provide financial advice.

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
The Straits Times

Nightmare Maid involved in money mule activities

Hiring a domestic helper can be convenient, but it can quickly become a nightmare if money issues arise.

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
The Straits Times

Apple should have learnt a Chinese lesson on EVs

Almost overnight, phone companies have become major car-making players in China, feeding into a booming industry.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 27, 2024
Accidental talent factory: How ChildAid shaped the stars of tomorrow
The Straits Times

Accidental talent factory: How ChildAid shaped the stars of tomorrow

The event has flourished simply by offering young talent the stage to shine.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 27, 2024
The Straits Times

The return of the techno-libertarians

Silicon Valley billionaires are selling a dream of unfettered markets—but the reality is not so certain.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 27, 2024
The right outcome for Income? Not a merger with Allianz
The Straits Times

The right outcome for Income? Not a merger with Allianz

The insurance company can continue to be a successful social enterprise that helps Singaporeans.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 27, 2024
Nobody knows why ultra-processed foods are bad for you
The Straits Times

Nobody knows why ultra-processed foods are bad for you

But scientists are racing to find out.

time-read
5 dak  |
November 27, 2024
CPF tops Asia in pension index, but needs to evolve to stay viable
The Straits Times

CPF tops Asia in pension index, but needs to evolve to stay viable

Analysts concerned about Singapore's low birth rates and increasing life expectancies

time-read
5 dak  |
November 27, 2024